Thelowertopsailsandcourseswerethenset，andthebrigbegantowalkthewaterlikeathingoflife，herforefootdiscoursingmusic，thebirdsflyingandcryingoverherspars。
Bitbybitthepassagebegantoopenandtheblueseatoshowbetweentheflankingbreakersonthereef；bitbybit，onthestarboardbow，thelowlandoftheisletbegantoheavecloseraboard。Theyardswerebracedup，thespankersheethauledaftagain；thebrigwasclosehauled，laydowntoherworklikeathinginearnest，andhadsoondrawnneartothepointofadvantage，whereshemightstayandlieoutofthelagooninasingletack。
Wickstookthewheelhimself，swellingwithsuccess。Hekeptthebrigfulltogiveherheels，andbegantobarkhisorders：
“Readyabout。Helm’sa-lee。Tacksandsheets。Mainsailhaul。”Andthenthefatalwords：“That’lldoyourmainsail；
jumpforrardandhaulroundyourforeyards。”